Embryonic Stem Cell Research As a Proxy For Healthy Life Extension

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Nick Gillespie notes at Hit & Run:

leading opponents to embryonic stem cells are not simply worried about the embryo issue - they fundamentally question whether we should be intervening to prolong and improve human lifespans and ameliorate human suffering.
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George W. Bush's bioethics kingpin, Leon Kass, is on record as saying, "The finitude of human life is a blessing for every individual, whether he knows it or not." Like Fukuyama and others that Reason's Ron Bailey has pegged as "pro-death," the core issue is not how we might extend life but whether we should.

As I've pointed out in the past, it is hard to even hold a debate with people who push the horrific concept of using government power to block research and treatments for age-related degeneration. It amounts to promoting murder by legislation.

Glenn Reynolds echoes Nick Gillespie's view, made in response to the latest in embryonic stem cell research:

This would defuse the pro-life opposition. It wouldn't address the concerns of those - like, say, Leon Kass - who are uncomfortable with dramatic advances in medical technology for other reasons.

Both give too much respect for these views; there comes a time when you have to stand up and tell the other side that they are far outside the bounds of discourse. You can't hum and nod thoughtfully in response to a proposal that involves forcing billions to suffer and die.